Guro-gu, 4th Disaster Relief Fund Application Now Open

‘Small Business Support Fund Plus’... Differential Payment of 1 Million to 5 Million KRW Based on Business Restrictions... Additional Support of Up to 1.5 Million KRW in ‘Seoul Economy Vitality Fund’ for Recipients of Support Fund Plus

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Seong) has launched a campaign to promote the 4th disaster relief fund.

The 4th disaster relief fund is financial support prepared by the government for self-employed individuals, small business owners, and vulnerable groups who are struggling due to COVID-19. It consists of the ‘Small Business Owner Support Fund Plus’ and the ‘Temporary Livelihood Support for Vulnerable Groups’.

First, the application for the ‘Small Business Owner Support Fund Plus’ began on the 29th of last month.

The eligibility includes small business owners who have registered their business and started their business before February 28 of this year and are operating as of the application date, with last year’s sales amount being 1 billion KRW or less for food and lodging businesses, 5 billion KRW or less for wholesale and retail businesses, and 12 billion KRW or less for manufacturing and transportation businesses.

Depending on whether the business is subject to closure or operation restrictions, management crisis, or sales decline, support funds ranging from 1 million to 5 million KRW will be provided once on a graduated scale.

Applications can be made through the dedicated Small Business Owner Support Fund Plus website. Detailed information such as eligibility and payment schedule can be confirmed on the dedicated website or via the call center (1811-7500).

Additional support called ‘Seoul Economy Vitality Fund’ is also provided to businesses subject to closure or restrictions.

The ‘Seoul Economy Vitality Fund’ provides an additional 600,000 KRW to businesses with operation restrictions and 1.2 to 1.5 million KRW to businesses subject to closure that have already received the Small Business Owner Support Fund Plus. However, those classified as ‘general businesses’ among the recipients of the Small Business Owner Support Fund Plus are excluded from this support.

Those wishing to apply can visit the Seoul Vitality Fund internet homepage by July 30. From June 1 to July 30, in-person applications can also be made at the district office reception desk. Detailed information can be obtained through the Guro-gu Regional Economy Division.

Temporary livelihood support is also prepared for low-income vulnerable groups.

The eligibility includes households with assets of 600 million KRW or less and a standard median income of 75% or less, who are experiencing difficulties due to decreased income from COVID-19 (submission of supporting documents required). Households receiving basic livelihood security (living allowance), emergency welfare (living support), or disaster relief funds this year cannot receive overlapping support.

Online applications through the Bokjiro website will start from May 10 to 28. Applications will be operated on a two-day system based on the last digit of the birth year (odd/even).

Guro-gu will also conduct on-site applications at community service centers from May 17 to June 4 for residents unfamiliar with online applications.

The temporary livelihood support will be paid once at 500,000 KRW regardless of the number of household members after procedures such as asset and income investigation, starting mid-June. Detailed information can be confirmed through the district office Welfare Policy Division or community service centers.

Additionally, until the 23rd of this month, temporary support funds for visiting care service workers can be applied for, and until June 30, applications for electricity bill reductions for businesses subject to closure or operation restrictions are available. For application methods, eligibility, and other details, refer to the district office website’s ‘4th Disaster Relief Fund Application’ page.

A Guro-gu official stated, “We will do our best to promote and guide the disaster relief fund so that no eligible person misses out on receiving the support due to failure to apply.”